Roosters give Lodge permission to leave immediately
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The Sydney Roosters have granted Matt Lodge permission to leave the club immediately after the prop forward’s management requested a release from the final year of his deal.
The Roosters left Lodge out of their NRL team last week, and he is no longer part of their plans this season.
The club turned down two requests in the past month for Lodge to leave immediately, however a Roosters official confirmed to this masthead the club has had a change of heart.
The club is privately disappointed with Lodge’s performances and attitude since he was informed his contract wouldn’t be renewed, which allowed the club to re-sign veteran prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves for another season.
The Roosters haven’t got the money for another middle forward, given they will welcome premiership-winning Panthers forward Spencer Leniu in 2024.
Lodge’s management last week again asked the club for a release, the third request in a month. This time, the club agreed to part ways with the front-rower.
Roosters props Matt Lodge and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves.Credit: NRL Photos
It’s unclear whether a deal has been done at a rival club. Lodge is on a contract worth about $300,000 at the Roosters this season, and is still attending training despite the fact he is unlikely to play for the Tricolours again.
Financially, Lodge’s release will have little impact on the Roosters’ salary cap position, but they have no objections to the former Broncos forward leaving immediately.
The club had been impressed with Lodge since he joined the club, but things began to sour when it became clear the Roosters would prioritise the retention of Waerea-Hargreaves over him.
News Corp last week reported Lodge recently met Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo about the prospect of heading to Belmore but no deal was guaranteed.
Lodge addressed his future earlier this month but gave no indication as to where he would end up.
“I think I’ll be heading on at this point,” Lodge said.
“I’m just happy to play my role … whether it ends here, at the end of the year or if it’s longer. I’ve enjoyed my time here and I am enjoying my time here, so it’s good.
“I’m on a reduced [deal] but I can’t do that forever. I was probably under the assumption that I was going to stay longer when I did that, and we did speak about that, but the situation changed.”
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